Holiday eats, kitchen must-haves and gifts
Holiday eats, kitchen must-haves and gifts
Plus, a little life update
Hi! I hope you had a restful weekend and a happy Thanksgiving. I ended up cooking more than I had planned but it was very enjoyable and low stress and for that, I’m super grateful.
The days after a holiday really are the best- filled with easy leftovers and time with family and in our case, zero commitments, which meant we could truly take it easy. We definitely did!
Life update
We returned back to “reality” on Monday with Ian’s first brain MRI in six months. Thankfully, his scan was stable once again, truly a God-given blessing and a gift any time of year, but especially during the holidays.
I know many of you have followed our journey navigating Ian’s brain cancer diagnosis and since things have been good lately, I feel that I haven’t kept everyone as updated as I should. Mostly because things have been good and there’s not much to report.
So here’s the latest: Ian is still doing well and continuing a mix of integrative therapies like Optune, CBD oil, off-label medications and supplements (using a protocol based on Care Oncology Clinic, this book and guidance from his oncologist), and of course, a modified keto diet.
I often receive questions about what he has done and we are always willing to share specifics, please don’t hesitate to ask. We were honored to be included in the CANCER/EVOLUTION docuseries and were able to share Ian’s story as a cancer thriver/survivor. The series premiered at the CANCER/EVOLUTION summit in September.
December marks five years since moving to Arizona AND since Ian’s brain tumor was considered to be “stable,” after incorporating the above protocol. Time is funny and mysterious and I can’t believe it has been five years since then.
In other news, I’m gearing up to take a little bit of time away as we’re expecting baby #3 in just over a week!
December couldn’t be more perfect- it’s that time of year when low-carb and keto eating is often put on the back burner in exchange for carb-y, sugary indulgences (I know I’m in good company here). If that’s you too, I hope you enjoy the season and focus on balance (not guilt!).
But for those of you who stick to keto and low carb regardless of the time of year, there are plenty of holiday-inspired recipes on the site to enjoy without the excess carbs and sugar.
Since I probably won’t be sending out a newsletter for a couple of weeks, this email is a bit long. It’s jam-packed with recipe links and shopping must-haves for the season, including fun gift ideas at the very end. Thanks for sticking with me!
Holiday recipes
From sweet holiday bakes to elevated main dishes and seasonal sides, there’s no shortage over on the blog.
Here are a few recipes that are perfect for December:
Halibut Cheeks with Pomegranate Salsa (you can actually use this recipe with your favorite white fish or even for fish tacos!)
Kitchen must-haves
If you’re looking to stock up on baking must-haves, including pantry staples, kitchen tools and thoughtful gifts, I have recommendations for that, too!
Keep in mind that all of these are Amazon affiliate links so I do earn a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you), but I will only recommend products that I find useful and truly love!
If you have any specific questions, let me know. :)
Pantry items for keto and low-carb baking
Super fine almond flour (blanched). I go back and forth between Bob’s Red Mill brand and the Costco bag of almond flour, which is equally good.
Xanthan gum. This is a gluten-free binder and thickener (I made our turkey gravy by whisking in the tiniest amount!). I usually add it as an optional ingredient for baked goods, but even a small bit can work wonders in terms of holding a low-carb dough together. One bag will last you forever, too!
Lakanto Golden Monkfruit Sweetener. This is my go-to granulated sweetener. Lakanto also recently launched an Allulose/Monkfruit blend which I can’t wait to try! I’m not sure how it bakes yet but it sounds like a great option for anyone who doesn’t care for the taste of erythritol.
Sugar-free dark chocolate chips. I always have Lily’s baking chips on hand for a little dose of chocolate. Hu Kitchen is another good brand (sweetened with dates vs. stevia/erythritol) but you can typically find a better deal at Target.
Kitchen tools and fun gifts
Handheld electric mixer: I love my handheld KitchenAid mixer and it’s currently on sale! Also eyeing this sleek, cordless one.
Coffee maker. The Moccamaster is a splurge but if you’re looking for an incredible coffee maker with a good warranty, this is it. After a lot of research, we bought one a few years ago and Ian and I swear it makes the best drip coffee. Made in The Netherlands, I love the retro style and simple-to-use design (only two buttons!). Plus, look at all those fun colors!
KitchenAid Mixer Ceramic Bowls. These beautiful ceramic mixing bowls are a fun way to “customize” a KitchenAid stand mixer. I have the Black Shell bowl paired with a beige mixer and I especially love that it has a spout and handle.
Measuring cups and spoons. Always a great gift for a baker! I like this gold set. This wood and gold option is pretty, too.
Apron. There are so many fun ones out there, but I’m especially loving this classic, striped design right now. This Carhartt men’s apron gets amazing reviews and would be a great gift for anyone who enjoys grilling, smoking, etc.
Kitchen knives for kids. I just ordered this set of plastic kitchen knives for Posey for Christmas and they look perfect for cutting fruit and soft veggies. A definite upgrade from the butterknives she likes to use. ;)
High-quality baking pans. I love my USA pans and if you’re in need of specific types, there are so many to choose from. This is a great muffin tin and I’m always reaching for my square baking pan. They also have sets you can shop!
What I’m loving
And for fun, here are a few random things I found/made mental notes of this week:
I’m always ready for a sheet pan salmon recipe and this Walnut and Sage Crusted Salmon I saw on Mashed looks amazingly good and easy. It’s on my list of recipes to try out soon!
Who else binge-watched the first installment of season 6 of The Crown?! This was my favorite season yet and we’re anxiously awaiting the second part of it in December.
If you’re looking for an easy bake that is incredibly versatile, my Keto Lemon Blueberry Scones recipe is one you can change up however you like! I’ve swapped out the blueberries for fresh cranberries and chopped pistachios and raspberries or even cinnamon/chocolate chips.
The no-fuss method I use for cooking bacon, especially in large batches. It might come in handy this month! (Tip: You can sprinkle on some golden monk fruit sweetener and chopped pecans to make a sugar-free, praline-inspired, candied bacon).
Wishing you a happy December and a fun-filled, joyful holiday season. <3
Abby